Windmill



C. O. LITTON April 12, 1938.

WINDMILL Filed Jan. 18, 1957 7 WM 6H Z 5 Mw 0- o s w 6 h 1 5 v v 2 r $3 5 INVENTOR My 4km BY WW 127W 11% ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE A 2,114,003 l I WINDZMJLL Charley Litton, Lock Springs, Mo. Application January 18, 1937, Serial No. 121,083

6 Claims.

My invention relates to. improvements in windmills of atype provided with a base revoluble'on a vertical axis on a support, a vane pivoted on a vertical axis on the base, a wind actuated propeller, an electrical generator, .driving means connecting the propeller and generator, and supporting means carried by the base for the propeller and generator.

One of the objects of my invention is ,the provision in a windmill of the kind described, of novel means supporting the propeller and the generator at opposite sides of theve'rtical plane of the axes of thebase and vane, whereby an excessive wind operating on the propeller, due to the propeller axis being offset at one side of said plane, will swing the base, so as-to throw the propeller out of the windl A further object of this construction, is to cause the propeller and generator to serve as a counterbalance one for the other.

Another object is the provision of novel means by which the. propeller may be adjusted transversely to the plane of the axes of the base and vane, for adjustably' regulating the amount the propeller is thrown out of the wind.

, Anothergobject of my invention is the provision of novel means by which the generator may sure abates, which provides proper leverage for exerting such retraction, even when the vane is swung to throw the propeller wholly out of the wind.

i A further object of my invention is the-iprovision of a novel turntable supporting the base, which is simple, strong, durable, and which may be easily and quickly applied to or removed from its: operative position upon its support.

Still anotherobject of my invention is the pro vision of a novel turntable construction in combination'with a novel arrangement of wiring connecting the generator to be connected with a battery to, be charged, or for other purposes,

- which permits the base being revolved any number of-times in either direction without twisting theconducting wires around the stationary standard supporting therevoluble generator carrying is simple and cheap to construct, which is strong,

durable, not likely to get out. oforder, and which is efiicient in its operation. I

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed. I

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates: the preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of my improved-windmill.

Fig. 2 is atop View thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, parts being omitted. i

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 'fi l of Fig. 2, the generator being shown in end elevation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5-4) of Fig. 2, the generator being shown in end elevation.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 3.

Similar characters of reference designate simi-' lar parts in the different views.

l designates a vertical tubular electrically conductive standard, its upper end being threaded I and having fitted thereon a threaded collar 2.

is fastened to the inner side of the member 3. A 3

horizontal base 6 is mounted on the top of the member '3 towhich it is fastened by bolts 7, which extend through the base 6 on which the heads of the bolts 1 rest, the lower ends of the bolts 1 being fitted in, threaded holes in the top of the member 3 and the collar 5. i I

A ball bearing 8 encircles the tube 4 and revolubly supports the member 3 on the upper end of the standard I and collar 2. 1

The bolts 1, member 3 and tube 4 are electrical- 1y conductive. A conductive sleeve 9 encircles and is supported by the standard between which and the sleeve insulation it is provided. The sleeve 9 is concentric with and. spaced from the side wall of the member 3. A brush or contact,

sulating member l2 extending through and carried by the side wall of the member 3, by a bolt l3 which extends through the insulating member [2 to which it is secured by a nut I4. The bolt I3 and nut serve as a binding post to which is connected a conducting wire l5, which is connected to one terminal of an electric generator, which is carried on the base 6, as will be explained hereinafter.

A binding post I6 is attached to the sleeve 9 and has attached to it a conducting wire I1, which leads to one pole of a battery located at a distance, and not shown.

A binding post I8 is attached to the standard l and has attached to it a conducting wire [9 which is attached to the other pole of the storage battery, just referred to. a The base 6 and top of the member 3 have through them a hole 20 through" which loosely extends a flexible manually operated member 2|, which extends downwardly through the tube 4 and the standard l and out of the latter to a point where it may be grasped and drawn down- 'wardly, for swinging the vane of the mill to the full out-of-the-wind position, as will be explained hereinafter.

A vane, comprising a rearwardly extending tail piece 22 having mounted thereon the usual vertical wing 23, is pivoted to the base 6 on a vertical axis at the rear of the axis of the base, as follows:

The rear end of the base 6 is provided at the left side, as viewed from the front, with a notch 24 in which is. disposed the front end portion of the tail piece 22 to the side next the base I of which is fastened a hinge 25 having a vertical axis at the extreme rear end of the base 6, whereby the vane can be swung to the out of the wind position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The axis of the hinge 25 is disposed at a substantial distance to the rear of the front end of the tail piece 22.

From such dotted position, the vane'can be swung to the position shown in solid lines in Fig, 2, in which latter position the vane will be in the vertical plane of the axes of the base and vane.

The portion of the tail piece 22, which is forward of the axis of the vane (the hinge axis), by striking the longitudinal side of the notch 24, will prevent the vane from swinging from the out of the wind position, past the alined position shown in solid lines in Fig. 2.

For means for retracting the vane automatically from the out of the wind position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, to the in the wind position, shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, there is provided a coil spring 26, the forward end of which is attached to an eye 21 mounted in the left edge of the base 6, as viewed in Fig. 2 from the front, adjacent to the turntable.

The other end of the spring 26 is attached to one end of a wire, or other flexible member, 23, the rear end of which is attached to a lateral arm 29, with which the vane is provided, mounted on the tail piece 22 a short distance from and to the rear of the axis of the latter. The wire 28 is fastened, preferably, to the arm 29 at a distance from the vane axis greater than the distance from said axis to the front end of the tail piece 22. As viewed from the front, the arm 29 extends to the left at right angles to the tail piece 22.

Extending from the opposite side of the tail piece, and substantially opposite to the arm '29, is an arm 39 to which is attached the flexible member 2| by which the vane is manually drawn out of the wind.

In addition to serving to limit the swinging of the vane in one direction, as has been described, the portion of the tail piece 22 effects another function. As the vane swings, or the base swings from the in the wind position toward the out of wind position, the leverage exerted by the spring 2'6 and wire 28 will decrease, as the wire 28 nears the axis of the vane. After the vane has swung toward the out of the wind position, a substantial distance, the front end of the tail piece 22, which was previously disengaged from the wire 28, due to the point of connection of the latter to the arm 29 being further from the vane axis than the distance to the latter from thefront end of the tail piece, the front end spring 26 applied to it.

The engagement of the front end of the tail piece with the wire 28, thus enables the spring'26 to' exert a'proper leverage for retracting the base or the vane, even when the latter is in the fully out of wind'position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig; 2. W

For assisting the operator to pull the vane to the out 'of 'the wind position, by means of the wire or flexible member 2|, acoil spring 3|, which is weaker than the spring 26, is fastened at its front end to the base 6, and at its rear end to the arm 30, the tension of the spring being such as to normally exert a stress tending to swing the vane to the out of the wind position.

Mounted'upon the forward portion of the base 6 is a supporting means comprisinga horizontal member 32, which extends through the vertical plane of the axes of the base 6 and vane, and through which it is longitudinally adjustably fastened to the base 6 by two bolts 33 which extendthrough the base 6 and respectively through two slots 34 disposed lengthwise of the member 32. The heads of the bolts 33 bear on the top of the member 32, and their nuts 35 bear against the under side of the base 6. l

A bearing means comprising a cylinder 36 is mounted on the member 32 at the right-of the vertical plane of the axes of the base 6 and vane, as viewed from the front. The cylinder is provided with side wings 31-attached to the member 32 by bolts 38. c 7

. A Wind actuated propeller, comprising blades 39 mounted on a hub 40, which is fastened on and revoluble. with the propellershaft 4|, has said shaftdisposed at the right of the axes of the base 6 and the vane, as viewedfrom the front, said shaft .40 being extended. parallel with the plane of said axes through the bearing cylinder 36 in which it is revolubly mounted, preferably on ball bearings, not shown.

Excessive wind pressure operating on the propeller will cause it to swing the base 6 out of the wind to an extent required to avoid destructive action by the wind, or too rapid revolution of the propeller.

At theother side of the vertical plane of the axes of thebase 6 and vane, there is mounted on the supporting member 32, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a block 42 on which is mounted a generator of electricity 43 against opposite sides respectively bear two wedge shaped blocks 44. An in'verted U shaped clamp 45 embraces upper side of the generator 43. Bolts 46 extending through the end portions of the clamp 45 and respectively generator toward or from ductor 55, and by the latter to balance inspite of the propeller being offset from .F e mane. Y I f through the blocks 44, and the block 42, have their heads engaging the under side of the latter,

nuts4'l on the upper ends of the bolts bearing on the clamp 45, thus securing the generator 43 to the block 42.

, To enable the generator to be adjusted toward and from the plane of the axes of the base 6 and the vane, bolts 48, at each side of 43, extend through the wedge blocks block 42, and through longitudinal slots 50 provided. through the member 32. The heads of the clamp 44 and the blocks 44, and nuts 49 the bolts 48 bear on the the under side of the on the' bolts 48 bear on member 32.

The armature 5| of the generator 43 has fixed on it a sprocket wheel 52 which is connected by a chain belt 53 with a sprocket wheel 54 mounted on the propeller shaft 4!. By adjustment of the the propeller shaft, which is effected by loosening the nuts 49, the generator 43 with the blocks 42 and 44 may be so adjusted, after which the nuts are tightened, whereby the chain belt may be properly adjusted for driving purposes, the chain belt and sprocket 'wheels 52 and 54 providing driving means by which the propeller revolves the generator armature.

A conducting wire 55 connects a ground terminal 56 of the generator with one of the bolts 1. The conducting wire i5 is attached to the other terminal 51 of the generator 43.

The current will pass from the terminal 51 by the conductor I5, bolt 13, brush ll, sleeve 9 and conductor I! to one pole of the storage battery, and will return therefrom by the conductor l9, tube 4, collar 5, bolt 1 to which is attached conthe terminal or binding post 56 of the generator 43.

The member 32 having been adjusted to properly position the propeller, to suit the conditions required at a predetermined wind velocity, when this velocity is exceeded, the increase in air pressure on the propeller, will swing the base 6 counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, against the restraining action of the spring 26. When the pressure again reduces, the spring with the help of the vane will retract the base and propeller to their normal position, shown in solid lines in Fig. 2.

When it is desired to swing the vane to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, in which position it will be out of the wind, the flexible member 2| is drawn downwardly through the standard I, the spring 3| assisting in swinging the vaneto this position. The vane will then cause the base 6 to swing with the propeller so that the latter will be completely out of the wind.

In swinging the vane to the out of wind position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, after the vane has swung a predetermined distance, the wire 28, being in the path of the front end of the vane, will be engaged thereby, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and will be held from swinging closer to the vane axis, whereby the spring 26 will exert a proper leverage, for retracting the vane easily when the member 2| releases the vane .and permits it toreturn to the normal operative position. Thus an even charging speed can be maintained in the generator 43.

By reason of the generator 43 and the propeller being at opposite sides of the plane of the axes of the base 6 and the vane, they will counter-balance each other, and will preserve an even By havingthe support, comprising the member 32," transversely adjustable with respect to the vertical plane of the axes of the base and the i v'ane, the propellerandgenerator, on-the erection of the windmill, can be bodily jointly moved, so as to obtain the proper 'hereinbefore'referred to, and then securely recounter-balance just tained in their adjusted; position.

" 'I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and*desc ribed, as many modifications, within thescope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

'What I claim is:-

1. In a windmill, the combination with a base revoluble on a vertical axis, of a vane pivoted at the rear of said axis to said base on a Vertical axis so as to swing in one direction from an initial position, and having its front end at a substantial distance forward of its axis, and means connecting said base and said vane for retracting the latter to its initial position, said retracting means, when said vane is in said position, being disengaged from said front end, and, when said vane swings from said position a predetermined distance in said direction, being in the path of and engaging and exerting a retracting stress upon said front end.

2. In a windmill, the combination with a base revoluble on a vertical axis, of a vane pivoted at the rear of said axis to said base on a vertical axis, so as to swing in one direction from an initial position, and having its front end at a substantial distance forward of its axis, and means including a spring connecting said base and said vane, said spring exercising a tension adapted to retract said vane to its initial position, said retracting means, when saidvane is in said position, being disengaged from said front end, and, when said vane swings from said position a predetermined distance in said direction, being in the path of and engaging and exerting a retracting stress upon said front end.

3. In a windmill, the combination with a base revoluble on a vertical axis, of a vane pivoted at the rear of said axis to said base on a vertical axis, so as to swing in one direction from an initial position, and having its front end at a substantial distance from its axis, and having a lateral arm, and means connecting said arm and said base for retracting said vane to its initial position, said retracting means, when said vane is in said position, being disengaged from said front end, and, when said vane swings from said position a predetermined distance in said direction, being in the path of and engaging and exerting a retracting stress upon said front end.

4. In a windmill, the combination with a base revoluble on a vertical axis, of a vane pivoted at the rear of said axis to said base on a vertical axis, so as to swing in one direction from an initial position, and having its front end at a substantial distance forward of its axis, and having a lateral arm longer than said distance, and means for retracting said vane toits initial position, and attached to said base, and attached to said arm at a point located at a distance greater than the distance of said front end from the vane axis, and, when said vane is in its initial position, said retracting means being disengaged from said front end, and when said vane swings from said position a predetermined distance in said direction, being in the path of and engaging and exerting a retracting stress upon said front end.

5. In a windmill, the combination with a base revoluble on a vertical axis, and a vane pivoted at the rear of said axis to said base on a vertical axis, of a support carried by said base and extending through and transversely adjustable to the vertical plane of said axes, a wind actuated propeller having its axis at one side of said plane, an electric generator carried by said support at the other side of said plane, driving means connecting said propeller and said generator, and bearing means for said propeller carried by said support.

porting said propeller and said generator and on which said generator is adjustable toward and from said plane.

CHARLEY O. LI'I'ION. 

